Coral 3 (local name for slide path just outside the Lake Louise Ski Area).
The pair of skiers set an uptrack across a bench and then onto the ridge on
the lookers right side of the feature that avalanched.
They skied a run straight down the middle of Coral 3 without incident. They
ski toured back up the slide path and re-connected with their old track,
making a second run. When they topped out on the ridge they triggered a
small avalanche that in sympathy triggered the bigger size 3 avalanche. The
skiers tracks (uptrack and ski line) were completely wiped out. Needless to
say, it was a very close call.
In the Rockies, now that the storm has passed, natural activity has
subsided. However, todays avalanche demonstrates that human involvement is
still quite likely on big alpine features.
Tread lightly.
Aaron Beardmore
Specialist, Visitor Safety Programs
Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay Parks
Box 900, Banff, AB
T1L 1K2
Ph: 403-762-1415
www.parksmountainsafety.ca
www.facebook.com/parksmountainsafety
www.twitter.com/ParksMtnSafety
(See attached file: IMG00393-20111204-1337.jpg)
(See attached file: IMG00402-20111204-1338.jpg)
(See attached file: Coral 3.jpg)
